Flame Retardant Chemical Market - new study
from Frost & Sullivan
Legislation and Regulations will Transform the European Flame Retardant
Chemicals Market
03 September 2001
The introduction of new fire safety standards and environmental regulations
will herald a period of growth for the flame retardant chemicals market and
will affect industries as diverse as automotive, construction, electronics
and plastics forecasts a new study from Frost & Sullivan.
Flame-retardants play an increasingly important role in protecting life and
property. Experience with fires has been the key driver for improving the
flammability performance of thousands of products such as electronic
devices, furniture, vehicles and building materials. A vast number of
standards, including EU, national and local regulations have risen in
response to market pressure and litigation.
In addition, advocacy groups, like the Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in
Europe (ACFSE), are becoming more effective in raising awareness of fire
safety among industry participants and decision-makers. So, more stringent
flammability standards are being introduced, such as performance-based
codes in the building industry, and voluntary actions that improve fire
safety in consumer products. This has resulted in greater demand and
changing requirements for flame-retardants, favouring low smoke and fume
products.
The broad discussion on the environmental impact of flame-retardants is
finding its way into the regulatory framework. This discussion has
resulted in increasing demand for more environmentally acceptable
materials, which represents one of the biggest challenges for flame
retardant producers.
Max Crosetti Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst explains: "in 2000 the
market for Flame retardant chemicals was worth $509.5 million. By 2007 we
predict market revenues will reach $671.7 million. The key driver for this
growth will be fire safety and environmental regulations, which will demand
the use of these chemicals in many more industries than today. This new
legislation will also result in end-users changing the type of flame
retardant they purchase to meet the latest specifications. Which in turn
will have a knock-on effect to the producers who will be forced to develop
new products to keep pace and to serve the new markets and applications
that will be covered."
Revenue Forecasts for the European flame-retardant Chemical Market
Source Frost & Sullivan Report 3980-39
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By far the largest market for flame retardant chemicals is plastic, which
represent more than 80% of unit shipments. The European Plastics Industry
is committed to developing plastics that make use of flame retardant
chemicals to meet higher safety standards. This, combined with the growth
in the use of polymers worldwide and their increasing use in higher value,
technical and durable applications is another key driver in the growth of
the flame retardants market.
In all flame retardants markets price competition is fierce, and increasing
competition from the Far East is exacerbating overcapacity. The report
recommends that producers develop new strategies to meet growing price
competition and to limit product switching by customers.
The report contains research for eight of the most important flame
retardant types; brominated compounds, phosphorus-based chemicals,
aluminium trihydrate, antimony trioxide, melamine-based flame retardants
and chlorinated compounds.
Background
Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that
monitors a comprehensive spectrum of chemicals markets for trends, market
measurements and strategies. This ongoing research is utilised to
complement a series of research publications to support industry
participants with customised consulting needs.
Sales Contact
The European Flame Retardant Chemical Market (report code 3980-39)
published August 2001 is available to purchase from: Frost & Sullivan, 4100
Chancellor Court, Oxford Business Park, Oxford, OX4 2GX, UK. Sales
Contact: Bill Stringer +44 (0) 1865 398651, bill.stringer@fs-europe.com
Press Contact
For further Frost & Sullivan chemicals press information, please contact:
Rosemary Gill, +44 (0) 1865 398660, rosemary.gill@fs-europe.com
For unlimited access to constantly updated chemicals market news written
exclusively by Frost & Sullivans' team of industry experts visit
Chemicals.frost.com.
Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to
the press.
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